Corpus Christi debates funding Planned Parenthood programs

The Corpus Christi City Council on Tuesday delayed funding for eight youth programs after residents protested that one program was run by Planned Parenthood.

The City Council was reviewing $500,000 for Community Youth Development program providers in the city’s 78415 ZIP code, the Caller Times reports. The city distributes the federal and state funds in coordination with the state Department of Family and Protective Services.

Rather than voting on all eight programs, the city voted to remove $30,000 in funding for Planned Parenthood.

The Community Youth Development Program has funded Planned Parenthood for the past four years.

About twenty city residents spoke against including Planned Parenthood, criticizing the organization as a promoter of promiscuity, perversion and pornography, according to the Caller Times.

One speaker, Kristie Rutledge, described her visit to the Planned Parenthood web site TeenWire.com which distributes information about birth control and suggests teens engage in self-abuse rather than have intercourse.

"We don't want our children ages 10 and up to be targeted with this information," she said. "This is pornography."

Others objected to the organization’s distribution of condoms and information about abortions.

Mandy Stukenberg, director of Planned Parenthood of South Texas, did not dispute the complaints about Teenwire.com, but later told the Caller Times that the programs whose funding was in question do not give information about abortion or distribute condoms.

"What kids learn about is learning to prevent sexual assault and positive assets such as learning to budget, among other skills," she said. "We want people to have accurate information."

The Planned Parenthood programs under the proposed funding are before and after-school programs reportedly covering “life skills” such as goal-setting, decision-making, communication, planning for work or college and building healthy relationships, the Caller Times says.

Similar programs to be funded are also offered at Planned Parenthood offices outside the school day. Parents must provide written approval for the programs, in which more than 100 students reportedly participated last year.

The Corpus Christi City Council approved the remaining funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Corpus Christi, YMCA, and YWCA, in addition to mental health and work force development organizations.